The National Interfaith Council of South Africa (Nicsa) believes former president Jacob Zuma is the perfect person to heal the historic and currently growing rift between black and Indian communities in KwaZulu-Natal.

Zuma has been asked to lead a prayer campaign which will focus on the communities of Chatsworth, Isipingo, Wentworth, Umlazi, Phoenix, Verulam, Tongaat, Inanda and KwaMashu.

Strangely considering that Zuma is currently facing charges of corruption fraud and money laundering the campaign will focus on ‘fighting against crime as the enemy of the state’ and will as a secondary objective try to heal the rift which has developed between blacks and Indians.

Briefly.co.za gathered that Zuma is set to lead the prayer campaign and will be joined by religious leaders representing the interests if the Rastafari, Hindi, Shembe and Khoisan groups. Zuma has shared the limelight with some of these groups at events which were organised in support of the former president.

Nicsa has distributed flyers and posters which call on community members to join in its effort in aid of nation-building prayer against crime and crime as an enemy of the economy.

News24.com reported that Bishop Timothy Ngcobo fingered Zuma to lead the campaign because he had immense knowledge of the Indian community.

Thesouthafrican.com reported that anti-Zuma factions believe that the Zuma is using the religious group to form his own political party which would in effect split the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal.

Ngcobo rubbished this notion and said the council had asked Zuma to assist because he had a deep understanding of the troubles facing these communities and he was someone who had a lot of extra time on his hands.

Racial tensions, in particular between Indians and blacks, have reached near boiling point in recent weeks after EFF leader Julius Malema told his supporters at a Youth Day event that the majority of Indians were racists.

Ngcobo said this was exactly why the council had asked Zuma to help heal the rift. He pointed out that Zuma had years of experience and had the potential to capture the hearts of ordinary people.

Ngcobo said Zuma had experience with Mahatma Gandhi and people of many varied backgrounds.